Study Desk

Now I will let you know what I am going to do. I will cut down the hedge and tear down the wall. My vineyard will be trampled and left in ruins.

I am the Lord All-Powerful! Israel is the vineyard, and Judah is the garden I tended with care. I had hoped for honesty and for justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found.

I am the one you should fear and respect. I am the holy God, the Lord All-Powerful!

Run to me for protection. I am a rock that will make both Judah and Israel stumble and break their bones. I am a trap that will catch the people of Jerusalem—they will be captured and dragged away.

The Lord says: I am furious! And I will use the king of Assyria as a club

to beat down you godless people. I am angry with you, and I will send him to attack you. He will take what he wants and walk on you like mud in the streets.

who says: I did these things by my own power because I am smart and clever. I attacked kings like a wild bull, and I took the land and the treasures of their nations.

I, the Lord All-Powerful, am terribly angry— I will make the sky tremble and the earth shake loose.

I am no longer angry. But if it produces thorns, I will go to war against it and burn it to the ground.

Pay close attention to what I am saying.

I told them that the Lord had this message for Hezekiah: I am the Lord . Don't worry about the insulting things that have been said about me by these messengers from the king of Assyria.

Sennacherib, now listen to me, the Lord . I planned all of this long ago. And you don't even know that I alone am the one who decided that you would do these things. I let you make ruins of fortified cities.

As surely as I am the Lord , he will return by the way he came and will never enter Jerusalem.

with this message for Hezekiah: I am the Lord God, who was worshiped by your ancestor David. I heard you pray, and I saw you cry. I will let you live fifteen years more,

I cry like a swallow; I mourn like a dove. My eyes are red from looking to you, Lord . I am terribly abused. Please come and help me.

Only the living can thank you, as I am doing today. Each generation tells the next about your faithfulness.

Who makes these things happen? Who controls human events? I do! I am the Lord . I was there at the beginning; I will be there at the end.

Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.

I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you.

People of Israel, don't worry, though others may say, "Israel is only a worm!" I am the holy God of Israel, who saves and protects you.